ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Finance Commission
Fifteenth Finance Commission to visit Tripura
Furthering its dialogues with the different states of the country, the 15th Finance Commission will be visiting Tripura from 16 – 18 January, 2019. The Commission led by the Chairman, Dr. N.K. Singh will include its Members and Senior Officials. This will be the 17th State of India that the Commission will be visiting.
Besides having a detailed meeting with the Chief Minister of Tripura along with the other Cabinet Ministers of the state, and the State Government officials, the Commission will also be meeting the representatives of the Panchayti Raj Institutions and the Urban Local Bodies of the States. Meetings are also scheduled with the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous Disrict Council, the Representatives of the Trade Commerce and Industry Bodies of the State and with the Representatives of the various Political Parties in the State.
The Commission will also visit the Palatana Thermal Power Project in the State.
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Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
India stands committed to working with the U.S. on Clean Energy.
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate likely to visit India in September
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri BhupenderYadav today held a telephonic conversation with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate , Mr. John Kerry today, to discuss Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue  Track under India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership, and other related issues
Both sides agreed that India and the USA, will engage for a constructive engagement under the “India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership” .The Environment Minister stated that these platforms provide greater opportunities for working together for climate actions and emphasized that India stands committed to working with the US on Clean Energy.
Mr. John Kerry, SPEC mentioned about the launch of Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue , as a part of the India-U.S. Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership  to enhance actions in the current decade to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement
Mr. Kerry is likely to visit India in the month of September to further India-US partnership on Clean Energy.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Advisory for Senior Citizens and their Caregivers during Lockdown Period due to Covid-19
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment along with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Department of Geriatric Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi have prepared an Advisory to be followed by all the senior citizens and their care givers during the Lockdown period due to Covid-19. In a letter to the Chief Secretaries of States/UTs, the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri R. Subramanyam has said that the senior citizens who are aged above 60 years and especially those with medical conditions are particularly susceptible to infections during the Covid-19 period. He called upon them to widely publicise this Advisory in all the districts, in all institutions working for senior citizens and through NGOs who are working in this area.
For the details of the Advisory, Please Click here
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Ministry of Health issued Standard Operating Procedure for Epidemiological Surveillance and Response in the context of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in United Kingdom
A new variant of SARS- CoV 2 virus [Variant Under Investigation -20212/01] has been reported by the Government of United Kingdom  to World Health Organization  . This variantis estimated by European Center for Disease Control  to be more transmissible and affecting younger population. This variant is defined by a set of 17 changes or mutations. One of the most significant is an N501Y mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptor. Changes in this part of the spike protein may result in the virus becoming more infectious and spreading more easily betweenpeople.
Ministry of Health has issued SOP for Epidemiological Surveillance and Response for the same. The Standard Operating Procedure  describes the activities to be undertaken at the point of entry and in the community for all International passengers who have travelled from or transited through UK in the past 4 weeks . Any reference to testing in this SOP implies RT-PCR testing only.
The flights from UK are suspended temporarily from 23rd December till 31st December 2020 or till further orders. All the passengers travelling from or transiting through airports in UK and disembarking in India during the intervening period from 21st to 23rd December 2020 would be subjected to RT-PCR test on arrival. In case of a positive sample, it is recommended that spike gene-based RT-PCR test should also be performed. Passengers testing positive will be isolated in an institutional isolation facility in a separate  unit coordinated by the respective State Health Authorities. Necessary action to send the samples to National Institute of Virology , Pune or any other appropriate lab for genomic sequencing will be initiated at the facility level. If the genomic sequencing indicates the presence of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 then the patient will be kept in the separate isolation unit and treated as per the clinical protocol.
Those who are found negative on testing with RT-PCR at the airport would be advised quarantine at home. Prior to check-in, the traveler will be explained about this SOP and In-flight announcements must also be made.
Those international travelers from UK who arrived in India since last one month will be contacted by District Surveillance Officers and monitored in community.
State Governments/ Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme will ensure that all the contacts of those travelers from UK or transiting through UK in last four weeks will be traced and monitored. They will also be tested as per protocol and contacts of positive cases would be subjected to institutional quarantine in separate quarantine centers for effective isolation and monitoring.
Link for the SOP:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/SOPforSurveillanceandresponseforthenewSARSCov2variant.pdf
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Cabinet approves Deepening and Optimization of Inner Harbour Facilities including Development of Western Dock on Build, Operate and Transfer  basis under Public-Private Partnership PPP mode to handle cape size vessels at Paradip Port
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approvedthe project 'Deepening and Optimization of Inner Harbour Facilities including Development of Western Dock on Build, Operate and Transfer  basis under Public-Private Partnership mode to handle cape size vessels at Paradip Port'.
Financial Implications:
The estimated cost of the project is Rs.3,004.63 Crore. This includes development of the new Western Dock on BOT basis and capital dredging by the selected Concessionaire at a cost of Rs.2,040 Crore and Rs.352.13 Crore respectively; and Paradip Port's investment will be to the tune of Rs.612.50 Crore towards providing Common Supporting Project Infrastructure.
Details:
The proposed project envisages Construction of Western Dock Basin with facilities to handle cape size vessels by the selected BOT Concessionaire with an ultimate capacity of 25 MTPA  in two phases of 12.50 MTPA each.
The Concession period shall be 30 years from the date of Award of Concession. Paradip Port Trust  shall provide the Common Supporting Project Infrastructure works like breakwater extension & other ancillary works to facilitate handling of cape size vessels.
Implementation Strategy and Targets:
The project would be developed by the selected Concessionaire on BOT basis. However, the Port will provide the Common Supporting Project Infrastructure.
Impact:
On commissioning of the project, it shall cater to the requirement of coal & limestone imports besides export of granulated slag & finished steel products considering the large number of steel plants established in the hinterland of Paradip Port. The project shall also facilitate  de-congestion of the Port,  reduce Sea freight making coal imports cheaper, and  boost the industrial economy in the hinterland of the port leading to creation of job opportunities.
Background:
Paradip Port Trust , a Major Port under Government of India and administered under the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963, was commissioned in 1966 as a mono commodity port for export of iron ore. In the last 54 years, the Port has transformed itself to handle a variety of Exim cargoes which include iron ore, chrome ore, aluminium ingots, coal, POL, fertilizer raw materials, lime stone, clinker, finished steel products, containers, etc.
In particular, the demand for import of coking coal & fluxes and export of finished steel products has been increasing in view of number of Steel Plants established in the hinterland of the Port necessitating capacity creation to cater to the Port hinterland requirements.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
PNGRB has authorized of Intent for 289 Geographical Area after 11th CGD Bidding Round
CGD network shall potentially cover 98% of population and 88% of geographical area of the country
The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today informed that the Establishment of CNG station and providing PNG connection are a part of development of City Gas Distribution  network and the same is carried out by the entities authorized by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board . After 11th CGD Bidding Round, PNGRB has authorized / issued Letters of Intent for 289 Geographical Area . Further under 11th A CGD bidding round, PNGRB has invited bids for 6 GAs covering 28 districts in 6 states / UT.
After the completion of 11th and 11th A CGD bidding rounds, CGD network shall potentially cover 98% of population and 88% of geographical area of the country including smart cities situated within the GAs. As per Minimum Work Programme  authorized entities have committed to provide 38,92,142 PNG connections in Uttar Pradesh. As on 31.01.2022, there are 11.35 Lakh PNG connections in the State of Uttar Pradesh. After the 11th and 11th A rounds, Uttar Pradesh will be fully covered under the CGD network as per the MWP to be fulfilled by the entities in the prescribed time limit of 8-10 years from the date of authorization.
Pradhan Mantri UjjwalaYojana  was launched in May 2016, with an objective to make clean cooking fuel such as LPG available to the rural and deprived households which were otherwise using traditional cooking fuels such as fire wood, coal, cow dung, etc. As on 31.01.2022, under the PMUY, 9 Crore LPG connections have been given to BPL households. At present, there is no any proposal to give PNG connections in lieu of LPG connections to the Ujjwala beneficiaries.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav: ONGC organizes study trip for students from Sibsagar Commerce College
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited  continues to organize study tours for students, as a part of the observance of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence. On 23 March 2022, 125 students from Sibsagar Commerce College in Sivasagar visited ONGC’s Assam Asset. The students belonged to three different levels, including BA, B. Com and M. Com.
Students from Sibsagar Commerce College visit Geleki oil fieldof ONGC
The students were divided into five groups, who traveled to Geleki oil field, the highest producing field in North Assam, in three buses. The visit covered both Drilling and Production Installation as well as Drill Site Accommodation. Mentors were nominated from each Drill sites and WIP-ETP to deliver basic acquaintance of the activities with the equipment.
Students at Drilling Rigof ONGC
Under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas , ONGC has been organizing study visits of 25 groups, comprising around 100 students in each group, since September 2021, under ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav’ . Till now, ONGC has organized study tours for over 1000 students at various locations of ONGC like Ankleshwar, Assam, Tripura, Rajahmundry, Ahmedabad, Cambay, Cauvery, Mehsana etc.
Under this AKAM, ONGC is also collaborating with other oil PSUs, to launch various projects to boost the country’s indigenous handicraft sector. Center public enterprises under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas will be launching 75 different handicraft projects across the country. Among which, ONGC has taken the lead and is supporting 15 projects. ONGC has already launched six handicraft projects in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Karnataka. Minister of State, Petroleum & Natural Gas and Labor & Employment Shri RameswarTeli launched the 3rd project – Assam Handloom project ‘UjjwalAbahan’ in August 2021.
Prime Minister's Office
PM hails tap water reaching the border village Hemya
The Prime Minister today welcomed tap water reaching the border village Hemya.
Replying to a tweet by the Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh, the Prime Minister tweeted :
"This will make every Indian proud. It is heartening to see our efforts towards developing border areas getting a big impetus. For decades, our border areas were ignored but now their development needs are getting top priority."
Ministry of Jal Shakti
68.90 lakh Individual Household Latrines constructed in Maharashtra under Swachh Bharat Mission : MoS 
More than 90 thousand household latrines constructed under SBM-G in Thane district alone
: New Delhi/Mumbai, February, January 3, 2023
As per data reported by the Maharashtra on the Integrated Management Information System  of Swachh Bharat Mission  –Grameen , 68.90 lakh Individual Household Latrines  have been constructed in Maharashtra under SBM from 2014-15 to 2022-23 , out of which 90,436 IHHLs have been constructed in Thane district.
As per data obtained till 30th January, 2023, the State of Maharashtra has reported on the IMIS that 6,605 Community Sanitary Complexes  have been constructed in the state under phase-II of the SBM-G Mission since 2020-21. Out of this, 58 CSCs have been constructed in Thane district.
Under SBM-G, funds are released to States and UTs. Further distribution of the same to the districts is done by the States and UTs. Details of Centre share funds allocated by the Government of India to Maharashtra under SBM from 2014-15 to 2022-23 and the funds drawn by the State, are as under:

|
|
Year
|
|
Funds allocated
|
|
Funds drawn by the State
|
|
2014-15
|
|
236.11
|
|
236.11
|
|
2015-16
|
|
1014.30
|
|
567.45
|
|
2016-17
|
|
528.94
|
|
528.94
|
|
2017-18
|
|
1235.34
|
|
1235.34
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2709.52
|
|
1352.92
|
|
2019-20
|
|
679.67
|
|
396.97
|
|
2020-21
|
|
340.62
|
|
276.75
|
|
2021-22
|
|
1372.73
|
|
0.00
|
|
2022-23 
|
|
1740.11
|
|
0.00
|
|
Total
|
|
4594.48
The details of facilities for biodegradable waste management and grey water management constructed under SBM and in convergence with other schemes in Maharashtra and Thane district, as reported by the State on SBM IMIS, are as under:
|
|
Biodegradable waste management facilities
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
Thane district
|
|
No. of community compost pits
|
|
10,922
|
|
265
|
|
No. of community bio-gas plants
|
|
861
|
|
1
|
|
No. of vehicles for collection & transportation of waste
|
|
4,762
|
|
91
|
|
No. of segregation bins at public places
|
|
6,213
|
|
11
|
|
No. of waste collection and segregation sheds
|
|
3,084
|
|
2
|
|
Grey water management facilities
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
Thane district
|
|
No. of community soak pits/leach pits/magic pits
|
|
14,214
|
|
71
|
|
No. of community grey water management systems 
|
|
1,767
|
|
11
|
|
No. of drainage facility
|
|
23,913
|
|
110
|
|
No. of household compost pits
|
|
53,046
|
|
112
|
|
No. of individual bio-gas plants
|
|
6,920
|
|
13
|
|
No. of individual soak pits/leach pits/magic pits/kitchen gardens
|
|
6,48,675
|
|
3,522
This has been stated by Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply to an unstarred question by Shri Rajan Vichare in Lok Sabha on Thursday .
PIB Headquarters
2 Kg Gold worth Rs. 91 lakhs seized by Customs at Chennai Airport. One lady Arrested
On Tuesday morning one Jenitha,40, of Chennai who arrived from Dubai by Emirates Flight EK 542 was intercepted at the exit. On personal search four plastic pouches containing gold paste were recovered which were concealed in the waist portion of her pants and inner wear by specially stitching them. On extraction 525 grams of gold was recovered. Also two crude gold bracelets, 2 crude bangles, and one semi-finished crude gold chain totally weighing 279 grams worn by her were recovered. Total803 grams of gold valued at Rs.34.97 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962. She was arrested.
In another three cases based on specific information Mohamed Akeel,23, Mohamed Arshad,28, and Mohamed Afzal,26, all Srilankan nationals who arrived from Colombo by Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL121 were intercepted at exit. On their personalsearch9 bundles  containing gold in paste form were recovered which were concealed in their rectum. On extraction 1.292 Kg of gold valued at Rs.56.21 lakhs were recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962.
In four cases 2.095 Kg gold valued at Rs. 91.18 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962. One lady passenger was arrested.
. Further investigation is in progress, according to a press release issued by Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
Special Service and Features
World Cycle Day: Bicycle rallies to be held at district-block centers on June 03, 2022; Rally will be organized in Palakkad too
Kochi: June 02, 2022
As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, led by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathnas will organize cycle rallies across the country on June 3, 2022, on World Cycle Day. Students, youth, and adults will take part in cycle rallies at the state-district-block levels and at 75 selected major centers across the country. The event aims to promote and popularize cycling to address the issues of global warming and unhealthy lifestyles.
The state-level inauguration of the World Cycle Day and the related cycle rally will be held on June 3, 2022 at 9.30 am at the Kerala University Campus, Thiruvananthapuram. State Sports Minister Shri V. Abdurahiman will inaugurate the event. Director of Sports, Youth Affairs Shri Prem Krishnan; State Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra Shri G. Kunhahammed; Regional Director, National Service Scheme Shri G. Sreedhar; Deputy Director, Nehru Youth Center Shri Ali Sabin and SAI Cycle Coach Shri Anoop S. Nair will address the event. The Minister will then flag off a cycle rally being attended by 75 young men and women.
Shri V. K. Sreekandan, MP will flag off the youth cycle rally from Martyr's Hall at Palakkad Fort to Akathetara Sabari Ashram at 8 am on June 03, 2022.
Nehru Yuva Kendra is also organizing a bicycle rally at Kavaratti in Lakshadweep. Lakshadweep Collector Shri Askar Ali will inaugurate the event. In addition, cycle rallies will be held in all the district headquarters in Kerala and in the Union Territory of Mahe under the auspices of the Nehru Yuva Kendra and in the block centers with the participation of youth clubs.
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Ministry of Finance
DGGI Gurugram arrests man for fraudulently availing input tax credit of more than Rs 69 crore
The Directorate General of GST Intelligence  Gurugram Zonal Unit , Haryana has arrested one Shei Surender Kumar Gupta resident of New Delhi on charges of availing and passing on fake input tax credit by way of receipt/issuance of invoices without any actual supply of goods or services.
It is apparent from the investigation conducted till date, that Shri Surender Kumar Gupta, Director of M/s. Mystic Exim Pvt. Ltd., M/s. Landmark Traders Pvt. Ltd. and Controller of M/s. JKM Impex forged documents to show receipt of goods in his above mentioned companies/firms from multiple fictitious/non-existent entities, which never existed at their given addresses. The entities of Shri Surender Kumar Gupta had further passed on the fake ITC to multiple exporter firms, who had further encashed such ITC through fraudulent IGST refunds.
The investigation spanned multiple locations in Delhi/Gurugram and based on documentary evidence and statement recorded, it was ascertained that Shri Surender Kumar Gupta is a key person in orchestrating this racket of availing fake ITC.
Accordingly, Shri Surender Kumar Gupta was arrested on 05/02/2021 and produced before Duty Magistrate, Tihar Complex, New Delhi, who ordered judicial custody. From the investigations conducted till date, it appears that the total value of goods involved in the subject transactions is more than Rs. 600 crore and the total fake ITC availed by entities of the accused is more than Rs. 69 crore.
Further investigations in the matter are under progress.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets the nation on Christmas
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his greetings to the nation on Christmas.
“Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. We remember the noble teachings of Jesus Christ and recall his efforts towards creating a compassionate and equal society”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Four Day “Jigyasa for Renewable Fuel” program under Jigyasa 2.0 for the Students of Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior at CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, conducted during 29 Aug-01 September, 2022
A four-day “Jigyasa for Renewable Fuel” program under Jigyasa 2.0 program was successfully organized for the students of XIth class of Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior during 29 Aug-01 Sept 2022 at CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.
The 4-day program was inaugurated by Dr. Anjan Ray, Director, CSIR-IIP Dehradun. The main objective of the program is to give an exposure to different technologies developed for the utilization of non-edible vegetable oils, used cooking oil and waste plastic to different types of fuels.
Dr. Anajn Ray, motivates the students to look for different types of waste they are generating in their daily life and suggested the paths to minimize the waste generation and further utilization for energy & fuels. He also emphasized a collective effort is needed to achieve the net zero CO2 emission target. During this program, students got an opportunity to interact with the Scientists and technical officers of CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum.
A series of lectures were delivered on different themes like, Renewable Fuel, Alternate Fuel, H2 as future Fuel, Electrical Vehicle retrofitting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Petrochemicals and Polymers by Dr. Anajn Ray, Dr. Neeraj Atray, Dr. Anand Narani, Dr. Sunil Kumar Suman, Dr. Sanat Kumar, Dr. Subham Paul, Dr. Nanoji Islavath, Dr. Robindro L., Dr. Tuhin S. Khan, Dr. D.V. Naik and Dr. Umesh Kumar to enhance the scientific temperament of students.
Students also get exposure to process of RUCO to Biodiesel as well as dry ice formation from CO2. Besides this, students also visited various laboratories such as Bio-technology & Biochemistry lab, Adsorption & Membrane Separation lab CFR Engines, Emission Testing Lab, Thermo Catalytic Process Lab, advanced crude oil research centre, IR, and GC-MS lab. They also visited pilot plants of Waste Plastic to Fuels & Chemicals, and Biojet Fuel. During the Valedictory function participation certificates for students were given by Prof. SK Ganguly, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IIP.
In the organization of this program Dr. Ankur Bordoloi, Principal Scientist; Dr. Umesh Kumar, Senior Scientist; Dr. GD Thakrey, Senior Principal Scientist; Dr. Kamal Kumar, Sr. Technical Officer; Dr. Deependra Tripathi, Sr. Technical Officer; Dr. Jyoti Porwal, Sr. Technical Officer; Dr. Pradeep Tyagi, Sr. Technical Officer; Dr. Raghuvir Singh, Sr. Technical Officer; Mr. Mukul Sharma and Mr. Pankaj Bhaskar played an exemplary part in making the programme a success. The whole programme was coordinated by the Jigyasa coordinator, Dr. Aarti, Principal Scientist CSIR-IIP.
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SNC/RR
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